Sunday, September 30, 2018

First Days of School...

The beginning of school is always an exciting time. Max LOVES school and couldn't have been more excited to return to his routine of riding the bus.

Dad is doing early morning duty this year and as you can see, Max doesn't hate it :). Kason and Zoe are going with me to a new charter school that opened this year called Valor. It is a classical education and we are all in love with it. The school focuses heavily on virtues and nurturing the whole child. Zoe started kindergarten with Mrs. Ray and Mrs. Schwoller.

Kason started 4th grade with Mrs. Krazynski as his homeroom teacher. He actually has 4 teachers who rotate in and our of his room. His class stays in their room while the teachers switch.

I went back to teaching and am in 2nd grade. I have discovered this is my sweet spot...I absolutely love it! It's been different learning how to teach in a classical model, but it in a positive way. I'm sold!

Our classrooms are not allowed to be busy, cluttered, or filled with bulletin boards. Therefore my room is simple.

I also have a beautiful Van Gogh that is one of my favorite parts of my room, but realize now I don't have a picture of it. Max's school has been incredibly accommodating and buses him to me every afternoon. He loves to play on my rug :).

The first day of school was a busy one, but a successful one. Everyone loves their classes and has met some really great new friends.

Could they be any cuter in their uniforms?! I love it. Our mornings are super easy without fuss which is nice since we need to leave around 6:30. Daniel gets up with us and makes us breakfast everyday. On the first day, the kids requested homemade cinnamon rolls...yum!

This is our family motto this year! Kason, Zoe, and I have a family hug in my room each morning and repeat this motto before going our own ways.

Returning to work was a hard decision for me to make. I wasn't ready to not just be a mom...I was nervous about releasing some of my caretaker duties for Max...I was unsure how I would balance being a mom and a teacher. Turns out, I really enjoy it. I've been surprised by how much fun I've had returning to work. I know having a husband who has been so supportive and a huge helpmate has added to that along with believing fully in the school I am working at. Plus, the incredible ladies of my family sent me this basket of love!

I've been overwhelmed with gratitude for the support of my family and the encouragement they have provided me. So much so, that my kids and Daniel encouraged me to take the position of helping coach middle school volleyball. Turns out, I absolute LOVE it! It requires a lot of my time, but my family are my cheerleaders.

While our days look a little different and my evenings are spent working in bed after the kids are asleep, we are happy. School has been an adjustment in a good way. I look forward to seeing the way our entire family grows this year!

1 comment:

So thankful Max loves school the way he does! So proud of Kason and Zoe, thrilled they are doing so well in school!! Love them in their uniforms! So proud of you Natalie for the sacrifices you make for your family! You are a talented teacher, such a natural! I love the sound of Coach Clayton! So inspired by the way you and Daniel work together!

The Clayton Crew...

Welcome to the Clayton Crew page! We are a family who loves adventures of any kind whether it be skiing or backpacking through the mountains to cycling around the neighborhood or trying to outdrive each other off the tee box. We can hardly wait for college football every year along with The Tour de France in July. Besides hanging out together, we really enjoy spending time with friends and family. Most of all, we delight in our Creator and desire to serve him daily through whatever adventures life may take us on! Daniel and I are proud parents of Kason, Max, and Zoe...who have all quickly risen to the top of our favorites list! We cherish every moment we spend with all three of our miracle babies!